A/N: Sorry for the delay! I lost track of time this week. Also apologies for the awkward links again.
Hunter sighed as he remembered how he came to possess the Scroll that was currently on the wall in his room. It was far from his proudest moment, as for all he knew he was robbing the dead. He realised he'd been reminiscing for a good while now, and used a ladle to fish the crocodile teeth from the boiling water, placing them on a plate to cool off.
As they cooled down, Hunter regarded the Scroll that lay open on his wall and he took it off the rack, closing it and putting it back in it's casing and resealing the cap. He wasn't going to lie to Oogway and tell him he just happened to find it somewhere. Hell, Oogway likely already knew it was him that stole the Scroll in the first place and was giving him a chance to return it. As for the Sword? He'd get that back for Oogway too, free of charge. He respected the Old Turtle and didn't want Oogway to lose what respect he had for him either. Shifu was likely tasked to pen the letter to make Hunter think he can lie his way out of it if he tries, to test his character.
Picking up the now cooled teeth, he walked over to a display case in the corner, in which were many custom made necklaces made out of the teeth and various other small bones of different types of animals he'd encountered and either killed or captured. Each necklace had a piece of paper with the name of the gang he'd taken the teeth from above it. He took out the Croc Clan necklace, which was unfinished, missing exactly three teeth from the look of it. He took out a knife and carefully scraped a hole in the teeth at the side near the top, and added the pieces to the necklace, finally completing it. He placed it back in the display case along with the other necklaces he had. One of his most prized pieces was a necklace he'd made using the talons of some avians, and in the centre of the necklace as a kind of pendant was the hollowed out skull of the snake that had led the gang. A snake leading a gang of birds had been quite amusing to Hunter upon finding out.
Now that the necklace was complete, he turned his attention to the letter. Getting out some parchment, he took a quill and dipped it in ink, writing down a simple response to Shifu and placing it in the same container the scroll he'd received had come in.
Zhu was already wishing he could go home to the Palace. He was certain this place would be a death of him soon enough. He'd made it a point to check the mail box every five minutes or so in the hope he'd find a reply and could make his way back to the Valley of Peace before he overstayed his welcome in Taidao... Which he felt he had the second he set his webbed feet in the town. It was a long journey back, but he'd make it. He hoped...
Sighing to himself, Zhu once again waddled over to the mail box. He checked inside. Just a scroll. Shutting it again, he turned away to go and sit back down before realising what he'd seen inside. He ripped open the mail box again and grabbed the letter, shutting the mail box and practically sprinting out of the town at full speed, eager to get back to the Palace with the reply in wing.
Hunter watched the delivery goose grab the letter and run for the hills like his life depended on it. He chuckled at the enthusiasm the goose showed in delivering the letter back to The Jade Palace. From what he remembered, the servants always were quite enthusiastic in going about their duties. He started packing what he would need for the journey and possibly a stay at The Jade Palace, such as the Scroll he was going to be returning to the Palace, as well as pouring all the money he currently had into a single box and putting it in his sailor bag. He also picked up a large backpack that held a tent and bedding for the journey since he assumed he'd stop at least once on the way, as well as saving money on renting a room somewhere. He also sheathed his blade and made sure said sheath was securely strapped to his back.
It was an intricately decorated sword, one that was named Cobra's Strike, as that was the name emblazoned on the blade's handle. Hunter had had the blade for as long as he could remember... As far as he knew, he was born with it although that was very likely not the case. It was in immaculate condition and could cut through pretty much any material, metal included. He didn't know what the blade was made out of but whatever that may be, he did knew it had to be an extremely strong and versatile material to be able to do the things it did. He also felt a kind of connection with the blade, maybe some kind of tie to his life before... before he found himself here? He truthfully didn't know.
...
(The sword's hilt)
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Ninjato
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(The blade's sheath)
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(The blade of the sword itself is basically a straight bladed katana)
...
He did know from his previous adventures overseas that it is commonly known as a Ninjatō on the Eastern Islands of Rìběn, where he was tutored in the usage of the weapon to the point of mastery. The blade was 76cm long, and had a handle length of 28cm while weighing in at 2kg. The sheath itself was also designed extravagantly, as a serpent climbed the length of it as if coiled around. The Sword blade itself had an inscription on it written in Rìběn rén, the native tongue of the people of Rìběn. On one side of the blade was written: 私たちの平和のために - Watashitachi no heiwanotameni, which roughly translates to 'For Our Peace', and on the other side was written: キツネを追い詰めない - Kitsune o oitsumenai, 'Never Corner A Fox'. What these meant, he didn't truthfully know. Part of him wondered if he originally came from Rìběn, but he didn't look like any of the animals there either so he mostly likely wasn't from there. He'd journeyed to many places, but he didn't find another that looked like him, or even any mention of anyone like him...
When he had fully packed everything he needed and was prepared to travel to The Valley of Peace, he walked back down the steps and into the Tavern itself, this time without being sneaky about it. The lovely rabbit who owned the place, Mei, gave him a wave, and he held up his hand to signify a wave back to her. He walked over to her and gave her more gold coins and she looked at him, unamused at the gesture. "Are you going to order something?" she asked him, but Hunter shook his head to her.
He began to explain why he had provided her more payment. "I might be gone for... For a while. Look after my room for me? Make sure it's locked and no one goes in?" he requested of Mei.
Rolling her eyes, she leaned over the bar and put the coins back in his bag, much to his confusion. "I already told you you're paid up for the year, and if it takes any longer than that we can talk about it whenever you get back." Mei told him firmly but kindly.
Hunter seemed a little bit shocked at that, but nodded to her. "Thank you Mei, I promise I will be back." he told her and turned towards the door, leaving the tavern. Mei proudly smiled to herself at getting at least some interaction out of him for the day, as he wasn't known to be very talkative with many people at all.
When he'd left, Hunter walked over the bridge that dangled over the chasm leading to the mainland and walked into the town until he was in front of a building in the middle of what seemed like the market district of the town of Taidao, however the market seemed closed today so it wasn't extremely busy like it usually was. He knocked on the door of the place he was standing in front of and after a good few seconds of waiting, a young black and white spotted Leopard Lynx opened the door. She took a second to register how tall Hunter was before gazing up at him for a second or two before hastily scampering back into the building. "Dad! The scary man's here to see you!" she called out as she went back inside.
Hunter grimaced ever so slightly at being referred to as 'the scary man' by the young one, although he could definitely understand why she called him that. He certainly wasn't exactly the softest looking person around that was for sure, and he supposed that to kids he would indeed look rather intimidating with his size and height as well as the fact he was not alike any recognisable creature from around here... or anywhere for that matter. He heard a rather hearty chuckle from inside the building. "He's not that scary, my dear!" a slightly older Leopard shook his head at his daughter's antics as he came to the door.
Hunter smiled a bit at the man from behind his mask. "Wow Mr. Fàngsōng, Jia Li really is growing fast." he said to the Leopard apparently called Mr. Fàngsōng in a voice of surprise.
For his part, Mr. Fàngsōng nodded at that gravely and grumbled a little at the fact. "Indeed. I'm afraid that soon she'll be too fast for us to catch up to. I remember how her mother used to be when we were younger." he chuckled at saying that, having fond memories of those times it seemed. "Anyway, what are you doing here? And dressed in your... 'other' work clothes? The Parlour is closed for today and you're not due in for work for..." Mr. Fàngsōng reached to the side and produced a scroll from seemingly nowhere. "Another two days." he pointed out to Hunter, wondering why he had turned up on his days off.
Hunter nodded in response to the older Leopard. "I know, that's why I wanted to talk to you now. I'm leaving for The Valley of Peace as soon as possible. Right now in fact. I may not return for... For quite some time." he informed Mr. Fàngsōng, who nodded in understanding.
The Leopard knew about Hunter's main profession it seems, although it wasn't really hard to guess what it was either. "Ah, a longer job? Maybe you're trying your luck to become a member of the Five, eh?" he jabbed at Hunter once with his elbow playfully. "Well, whatever it is, I wish you luck in your travels and I thank you for telling me in person. I'll definitely be able to get the others in to cover for you." Mr. Fàngsōng smiled in thankfulness at Hunter informing him. "I'll also book them in to work the shifts for the foreseeable future, I'm sure they'll be happy with that. Whenever you come back, you're always welcome to come back to work at Silent Serenity Massage Parlour." he told Hunter and put a paw on his shoulder. He knew Hunter's aversion to any kind of affection or intimacy like hugs, so he simply gave him the friendly shoulder grab. "Ancestors know the customers will miss you." he laughed at that prospect, knowing all too well Hunter was in high demand at the Parlour due to his strange appendages being able to reach many different places that paws, trotters or hooves could not and the techniques he used were said to be very effective.
Hunter laughed along with him at that, although it was subdued. "You've always been kind to me, thank you Mr. Fàngsōng." he said to the Leopard, who shrugged modestly at that.
He gained a look of sympathy at Hunter's words. "I know you can be very dangerous, and I know how the ballad goes and what the stories and legends say but I'm not a criminal, nor do I have a price on my head so I know I have nothing to fear from you." Mr. Fàngsōng pointed out to Hunter. "As for how you look? Who cares what you are? That's not who you are." he told him, although Hunter didn't seem to be entirely convinced of that himself... "Farewell."
Hunter nodded to Mr. Fàngsōng and turned around, walking away from the Massage Parlour. "Oh, before I forget!" Hunter turned back around, reached into his bag and threw quite a few gold coins to the Leopard. "For your food drive tomorrow. Get plenty of good stuff from the port for them." He told the Leopard with a nod.
Mr. Fàngsōng smiled widely at the generosity, holding the coins close to his chest for a second and shutting his eyes. "Ancestors bless you. I'll make sure they know who to thank." He raised the hand that held the coins and shook it as thanks, signifying it will be put to good use. As the door closed, Hunter walked away again and kept moving towards the outskirts of Taidao.
Even factoring in running and flying, the Goose had at best a few hours before he reached the Palace from here, although that was assuming he didn't stop somewhere for the night or for any rest along the way. Otherwise Hunter assumed that it would take a bit less than a day or so to arrive at the Jade Palace for the goose. Due to Hunter's lack of wings, it would take him quite a bit longer to travel across The Thread of Hope and into the Valley. Probably another day or two at the least.
With the timetable of how long it would likely take him to get there in mind, Hunter exited the town that is flanked on it's front by the jungle and leapt into the trees above, covering more ground jumping and swinging from branch to branch than he would on the ground. The extra weight of the gold he had would likely be a detriment to most, but he was strong enough that it wasn't a concern. Instead of following the Goose servant, he took his own route towards the Valley.